Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that Russia is ready to deploy its new hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, in combat. The announcement came a day after Russia used the missile in an attack on Ukraine’s Dnipro. In an unscheduled televised address, Putin confirmed that the missile, which he said cannot be intercepted, will undergo additional tests, including in real combat situations.
This development follows a significant escalation in the ongoing war, with Ukraine launching US and British-supplied missiles into Russian territory for the first time. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on world leaders to take strong action, urging them to make Putin feel the "real consequences" of his aggressive actions. He also emphasized Ukraine’s need for updated air defense systems, including the US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and upgraded Patriot missile defense systems.
Putin explained that the Oreshnik missile travels at 10 times the speed of sound and ordered its mass production. The missile’s use was in response to Ukraine’s deployment of Storm Shadow and Atacms missiles. Eyewitnesses reported that the missile strike on Dnipro was especially powerful, causing explosions that lasted for hours. Some officials likened the missile's strength to that of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Risk analyst Justin Crump pointed out that the missile’s superior speed and advanced technology are designed to challenge Ukraine’s air defenses. The recent surge in missile attacks has led to widespread concerns among global leaders about the increasing risks of global conflict. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that the war was entering a decisive phase, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban advised that the West should take Putin’s threats seriously, as Russia relies heavily on military strength in its policies.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un echoed the warning, claiming that the threat of nuclear war has never been greater, and criticized the US for its “aggressive and hostile” approach toward North Korea. North Korea has also deployed troops to fight alongside Russian forces, and Ukrainian troops have reported encounters with North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region.
US President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use longer-range Atacms missiles against Russian targets as retaliation for the involvement of North Korean troops. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, both nations have been trying to gain an upper hand ahead of the US presidential election in January, with former President Donald Trump promising to end the war swiftly, though without providing details on how.
In his address, Zelensky also criticized China for its passive response to Russia’s missile test. China’s foreign ministry called for calm and restraint, but Zelensky argued that Russia’s actions mocked the position of countries like China, which frequently urge restraint. He also condemned the Ukrainian parliament for postponing a session due to security fears after the Dnipro attack, urging everyone to continue working unless air raid warnings were issued.
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